Taste the Tradition: Authentic Tacos al Pastor – A Mexican Street Food Favorite!

Tacos al Pastor are a beloved Mexican street food featuring marinated pork, grilled to perfection and served on soft corn tortillas. This dish is known for its vibrant flavors, combining savory, sweet, and spicy elements. Follow this recipe to bring the authentic taste of Tacos al Pastor to your home.

Ingredients:

For the Marinade:

• 2 lbs (900g) pork shoulder, thinly sliced
• 4 dried guajillo chiles, stemmed and seeded
• 2 dried ancho chiles, stemmed and seeded
• 1/2 cup pineapple juice
• 1/4 cup white vinegar
• 4 cloves garlic
• 1 large onion, divided
• 2 tablespoons achiote paste
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

For the Tacos:

• 1 small pineapple, peeled, cored, and sliced into rings
• 12 small corn tortillas
• 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro
• 1/2 cup finely chopped onion
• Lime wedges, for serving
• Salsa, for serving

Instructions:

Preparing the Marinade:

1. Soak the Chiles:
   • Place the dried guajillo and ancho chiles in a bowl and cover with hot water. Let them soak for about 15 minutes until softened.
2. Blend the Marinade:
   • In a blender, combine the soaked chiles, pineapple juice, vinegar, garlic, half of the onion, achiote paste, oregano, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Blend until smooth.
3. Marinate the Pork:
   • Place the thinly sliced pork shoulder in a large bowl or resealable plastic bag. Pour the marinade over the pork, ensuring all pieces are well coated. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or overnight for best results.

Cooking the Pork:

1. Grill the Pork:
   • Preheat a grill or a large skillet over medium-high heat. Grill the marinated pork slices until cooked through and slightly charred, about 3-4 minutes per side. Remove from heat and let rest for a few minutes.
2. Grill the Pineapple:
   • Grill the pineapple rings until caramelized and slightly charred, about 2 minutes per side. Remove from heat and chop into small pieces.

Assembling the Tacos:

1. Warm the Tortillas:
   • Warm the corn tortillas on the grill or in a skillet until pliable.
2. Slice the Pork:
   • Thinly slice the grilled pork.
3. Assemble the Tacos:
   • Place a few slices of pork on each tortilla. Top with grilled pineapple, chopped cilantro, and finely chopped onion.

Serving:

1. Garnish:
   • Serve the Tacos al Pastor with lime wedges and your favorite salsa on the side.

Tacos al Pastor are a flavorful and vibrant dish that captures the essence of Mexican street food. The combination of marinated pork, grilled pineapple, and fresh toppings makes for a delicious and satisfying meal. Enjoy these tacos with family and friends for a taste of Mexico at home. ¡Buen provecho!